Burton Kragnes

Burton C. Kragnes, 77, of Detroit Lakes, MN, died on Tuesday, July 15, 2014 at Essentia Health in Fargo, ND.

Burton Conrad Kragnes was born on July 15, 1937 to Alvin O. and Adeline Rosman Kragnes at St. John’s hospital in Fargo. He grew up on the family farm in Georgetown, MN and graduated from Moorhead High School in 1955. Burt then attended NDSU and graduated in 1959 with a degree in mechanical engineering.

Burt enlisted in the Army in 1959, going from the Army Reserves to lieutenant and finally captain.

On December 29, 1960 Burt married Doris Johnson at Concordia Lutheran Church in Glyndon, MN and they made their home in Detroit, MI while he was still in the service. He was discharged from the Army in 1962. Burt then went to work as an engineer for IBM for the next 10 years. In 1972 he became self-employed, first in the business of constructing parade floats and secondly, in 1989, as the owner of a fishing resort on Lake Lida. Burt and Doris ran the resort until 2008.

Burt enjoyed fishing and hunting, but most of all he loved spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren. He also had many fond memories of time spent with his brother, Gene.

Burt is survived by his wife, Doris, his three daughters and one son, Renee Timothy Schmitt, Rochester, MN, Kirstin Paul Burton, Rochester, Brent Angie Kragnes, Rapid City, SD, and Deidra Kragnes, New York City, his sisters Lorna Burton Rockstad, Ada, MN, Orpha Kjell Hoelstad, Kragnes, MN and Sylvia Wally Teigen, Moorhead, and his 8 grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Eugene Kragnes.

A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, July 18, 2014 at 1:00 P.M. at Concordia Lutheran Church, Glyndon, MN. Friends and family may gather from noon to 1:00 at the church.

Burial will be at Concordia Lutheran Church cemetery.